Hooker introduces Darkside ceramic-coated headers

Header coatings have become popular alternatives to painted finishes for exhaust tubes, offering a lasting finish that also keeps heat inside the header, lowering engine bay temps and the threat of burn damage to adjacent components while enhancing the exhaust scavenging effect. But not everyone likes the bright metallic look of typical header coatings, even if the benefits remain appealing.

Now the long-time tube-header experts at Hooker have come up with an alternative coating that provides a satin black sheen for a more subdued appearance that Hooker describes as menacing. The black ceramic coating offers the same corrosion resistance as traditional silver-ceramic coatings, and actually has an improved level of thermal resistance, reaching to 1,700 degrees F instead of the typical 1,300 F provided by silver ceramic. As an added bonus, thanks to a slightly different application procedure, the Darkside headers can be offered at a lower price than similar silver-ceramic coated tubes. For more information and application details, go to www.hookerheaders.com.

(This post originally appeared in the June 11, 2009, issue of the Hemmings eWeekly Newsletter.)